Transparent hydrogel wound dressing with release tab

ABSTRACT

A flexible, transparent wound dressing product contains a clear hydrogel material in a gel-like phase. The wound dressing product is comprised of several layers including a wound dressing, removable tab and release liner. The removable tab provides a grippable surface to allow for the removal of the release liner from the wound dressing and to facilitate handling of the wound dressing during application to the wound site. The tab may be comprised of a flat, double-coated paper or other suitable material, or a flexible, V-shaped member, and is removable by peeling after the wound dressing is applied. The wound dressing comprises a transparent thin-film layer, a first adhesive layer, backing layer, second adhesive layer, support layer and a hydrogel material. The transparent layer has a center portion and a perimeter portion. The backing layer, support layer and hydrogel material, which together form a reinforced hydrogel patch, are positioned in the center portion of the transparent layer. Since the wound dressing is transparent, a grid pattern may be printed on the backing layer to permit measurement of a wound. During manufacture, the hydrogel patch is assembled in sheet form and subsequently cut to a desired size and shape.

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/068,633filed May 27, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,737.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wound dressings and, more particularly,to a transparent, flexible wound dressing product containing a hydrogelsubstance.

Secreting skin wounds, such as decubitus ulcers and open surgicalwounds, have long presented a medical challenge in keeping such woundssterile and relatively dry. The accumulation of wound exudate, such asblood, pustulation and other wound fluids, in wound crevices promotesgrowth of bacteria and crusted organisms which cause infection and delaythe healing process. However, since it is often desirable to allow awound to heal in a slightly moist or occlusive state, as it is believedthat this may accelerate healing, excess wound exudate must be removed.If excess wound exudate remains on a wound, a "blister" of exudate canform under the wound dressing which is not only unsightly, but also maycause the dressing to leak, thereby defeating the aim of sterility.Existing methods of aspiration, however, can lead to wound infection orcan destroy sterility. Additionally, it is not desirable to remove allexudate, as that would result in a dry wound and, hence, a slowerhealing process.

Known aqueous moisture-absorbing wound dressing systems have additionalproblems in that the aqueous material is generally contained in thecenter portion of a wound dressing, with a bulky adhesive border, suchas a foam border. Problems with such borders include decreased comfort,conformity and adhesion, as well as the existence of a "lifting edge"that can catch on clothes or bed sheets, thereby exposing the wound tobacteria and infection. In addition, observation of the wound by medicalpersonnel may require lifting the wound dressing, thereby exposing thewound, again creating a situation where bacteria and infection can beintroduced to the wound site.

Adhesive wound dressings, similar to that disclosed by Ward, U.S. Pat.No. 4,753,232, issued Jun. 28, 1988, are frequently constructed of apolymer film having one adhesive surface. The polymer film is extremelythin and, therefore difficult to handle during application to the wound.Further, it is desirable to apply the wound dressing to the patient'sskin without touching the surface of the dressing that is to come intocontact with the skin. The prior art discloses several methods forfacilitating handling of the wound dressing. Ward, for instance,discloses a "handle" portion along one edge of the dressing. After thedressing is applied, the handle may be removed by tearing, or it maycarry an adhesive coating so that it may be adhered to the skin of thepatient.

An existing method of avoiding contact with the edges of a bandage byfingers or forceps is disclosed in Brower, U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,731,issued Mar. 3, 1987. Brower discloses an adhesive-coated bandage whoseedges are protected by a pair of folded V-shaped tabs. After the backingsheet is removed from the bandage, one tab is removed and thecorresponding end of the bandage is applied to the skin. The second tabis grasped and removed as the entire length of the bandage is thenapplied.

Faasse, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,355, issued May 17, 1988, solves aproblem associated with excessive peeling force during removal ofbackings from wound dressings. The Faasse patent teaches a release lineradhesively attached to each end of a wound dressing strip (coveringlayer). A hinge arrangement is provided between each release liner andthe dressing. As the release liners are pulled away from the wounddressing strip, the hinge means are employed, thus reducing the peelingforce on the covering layer and preventing the liners from pulling awayfrom the covering layer prematurely.

United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2,128,479 describes a surgicaldressing with two release sheets, each covering half of the dressing andhaving a free edge curved at the center of the dressing. As the curvededges of the release sheets are peeled back, the center of the dressingis applied to the wound, followed by the ends, thereby preservingsterility by eliminating the need to touch the adhesive surface of thedressing.

European Patent Application Pub. No. 0 168 174 discloses a relativelyrigid carrier section with bent handles over the outer surface of athin-film dressing. The carrier section aids in keeping the dressingextended during application and prevents the ends from curling. Thereference further discloses a tab portion along one edge of thedressing. This tab portion is not coated with adhesive. It may begrasped during application of the dressing to the patient's skin and isremovable afterward by tearing.

Our own commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,629, issued to Cartmell etal. on Apr. 21, 1992, discloses a hydrogel wound dressing with athin-film transparent layer, a dimensionally stable backing layer overthe outer surface of the transparent layer, and a release liner. Thebacking layer and the release liner each have a corner tab to facilitatethe peeling of each from the transparent layer. The hydrogel material ispositioned in a center portion of the transparent layer, and theadhesive perimeter portion of the transparent layer adheres to the skinof the patient. The dimensionally stable backing member prevents thetransparent layer from curling and facilitates handling of the dressingduring its application.

Only the Cartmell et al. reference discloses a wound dressing containinga hydrogel material for the absorption of wound exudate. Further, themeans taught by the aforementioned references for facilitating thehandling of a thin-film wound dressing layer are fairly complicated andmay involve substantial expense in manufacture and materials,particularly when viewed in relation to the overall cost of the wounddressing.

It is seen, therefore, that there is a need for a hydrogel wounddressing product that may be easily handled during application to thewound without touching the adhesive side of the dressing. Further, thereis a need for a hydrogel wound dressing product that is inexpensive andsimple to manufacture, and easily removed from a release liner andapplied to a wound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets these needs by providing a thin-film,transparent wound dressing containing a hydrogel material. The presentinvention also provides a method of manufacture of the wound dressingproduct. The wound dressing product herein can be manufactured to anydesirable size to provide a thin-film, fluid-absorbing dressing for awound of any size. The wound dressing herein is transparent, conformableand adhesive around its perimeter portion, and nonadhesive over thewound site.

The wound dressing product of the present invention comprises a releaseliner, removable tab, and wound dressing. The wound dressing comprises atransparent, preferably polyurethane, thin-film layer, a first adhesivelayer, a backing layer, second adhesive layer, support layer and ahydrogel material. The transparent film layer, which may be of anysuitable shape, but which typically is generally rectangular in shape,has a center portion and a perimeter portion surrounding the centerportion, in addition to a first side and an opposing second side. Whenthe dressing is applied to the wound, the first side of the transparentlayer forms the outer surface of the dressing product. The transparentfilm layer may, alternatively, be constructed of materials other thanpolyurethane, such as polyethylene, vinyl, or other suitable materials,and may also be perforated throughout in order to allow the patient'sskin to breathe.

The first adhesive layer is positioned on the second side of thetransparent layer. The backing layer, preferably also constructed of atransparent polyurethane and having a first side and an opposing secondside, is adhered to the second side of the transparent layer by means ofthe first adhesive layer. A second adhesive layer is positioned on thesecond side of the backing layer in order to accommodate the first sideof the support layer. The support layer is made from a material such aswoven and nonwoven fabrics, gauze, scrim or other similar materials. Thehydrogel material is secured to the second side of the support layer.The permeable fabric of the support layer allows the hydrogel materialto pass through to the first side of the support layer, resulting in thepresence of the hydrogel layer on the first, as well as the second, sideof the support layer.

The hydrogel material is preferably a saline solution in an aqueousgel-like phase, and is contained within the center portion of thetransparent film. The gel-like consistency of the hydrogel materialcreates a bond between the wound dressing and the wound site withoutcreating an actual adhesive attachment that would damage new cell tissueupon removal. An advantage of the gel-like hydrogel is that it will notdeteriorate as the wound fluids are absorbed. Additionally, it permitsclean and neat removal of the wound dressing when the wound heals or thedressing is changed.

The release liner, which is preferably silicone-coated, overlies thehydrogel material and is secured to the perimeter portion of the secondside of the transparent layer by means of the first adhesive layer. Theremovable tab is interposed between the transparent layer and therelease liner. The tab is adhered to one edge of the perimeter portionof the second side of the transparent layer by means of the firstadhesive layer so as to provide a free grippable surface to allow forthe removal of the release liner from the transparent layer and tofacilitate the handling of the wound dressing during application of thedressing to the wound.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the backing layer isprinted with a grid pattern to allow medical personnel to monitor thehealing of the wound, without removing the dressing, by measuring itssize. A clear view of the wound is provided through the wound dressing,each layer of which is preferably transparent.

In one embodiment, the removable tab is flat and is constructed ofdouble-coated paper, polystyrene, polyester, or other suitable material.In a second embodiment, the tab comprises a V-shaped member which ispreferably silicone-coated. This V-shaped member has a first flap and asecond flap, with the first flap being secured to the second side of thetransparent layer by means of the first adhesive layer, and the secondflap being positioned between the first flap and the release liner. Theopen end of the V-shaped member is positioned along one edge of thetransparent layer and the opposing edge of the release liner. In bothembodiments, the tab is removable by peeling after the wound dressing isapplied to the patient's skin. The tab also aids in adding stability tothe thin-film transparent layer as the release liner is removed from thetransparent layer.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing the wounddressing product. Initially, the transparent film is provided,preferably of a transparent polyurethane material. This film containscenter and perimeter portions, along with a first side and an opposingsecond side. The second side of the transparent film is coated with apreferably medical-grade first adhesive layer. A backing layer is thenprovided, the second side of which is coated with a preferablymedical-grade second adhesive layer. The first side of a support layeris laminated to the second side of the backing layer. The support layercomprises a material such as woven and nonwoven fabrics, gauze, scrim orother similar materials, and is permeable to the adhesive. A hydrogelmaterial is then applied to the second side of the support layer. Theinterstices within the fabric of the support layer allow the hydrogelmaterial to flow through to the first side of the support layer, suchthat the hydrogel layer resides on both the first and second sides ofthe support layer. Together, the backing layer, support layer andhydrogel material form a reinforced hydrogel patch.

Preferably, the hydrogel patch is manufactured in sheet form and cut tovarious sizes. The size of the transparent layer is selected accordinglyin order that the center portion of the transparent layer is capable ofaccommodating the hydrogel patch. The hydrogel patch is then secured tothe transparent layer such that the first side of the backing layeradheres to the center portion of the second side of the transparentlayer by means of the first adhesive layer.

A release liner, preferably of a silicone-coated sheet material, isprovided. A removable tab having first and second sides is alsoprovided. The first side of the tab is laminated to one edge of theperimeter portion on the second side of the transparent layer, such thatthe first adhesive layer is positioned between the tab and thetransparent layer. A first side of the release liner is then laminatedto the perimeter portion on the second side of the transparent layer bymeans of the first adhesive layer. When the wound dressing product isfully assembled, the release liner overlies the hydrogel material andpatch. In fact, the release liner, transparent layer and first adhesivelayer form an adhesive seal around the hydrogel material, thuspreserving sterility of the wound dressing.

In the preferred method of manufacture, a grid pattern is printed on thebacking layer to enable medical personnel to measure the wound andmonitor its healing. In one embodiment, a flat tab constructed of adouble-coated paper is provided. Alternatively, a flat tab constructedof polystyrene, polyester, or other suitable material may be used. In asecond embodiment, a tab comprising a V-shaped member is provided and ispreferably silicone-coated. The V-shaped member has a first flap and asecond flap, and the first flap is secured to the perimeter portion ofthe second side of the transparent layer by the first adhesive layer,while the second flap is positioned between the first flap and therelease liner with the open end of the "V" positioned along one edge ofthe transparent layer and the opposing edge of the release liner. Inboth embodiments, this tab may be removed by peeling after the dressingis applied to the patient's skin.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wound dressingproduct containing a hydrogel substance which is particularlyadvantageous when used to dress exuding wounds, such as decubitusulcers, by providing a skin-like media which is biocompatible,nonirritating, fluid-absorbing, and bacterial-protective; to provide awound dressing that is transparent, thereby allowing medical personnelto observe the healing progression of a wound without removing the wounddressing; to provide a wound dressing that is easily handled and appliedto a wound without touching the adhesive portion of the dressing; and toprovide a wound dressing that is less expensive to manufacture and hasfewer materials than existing wound dressings.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wound dressing product.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, illustrating the layers whichform a preferred embodiment of the wound dressing product.

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the wound dressing product of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wound dressing product of FIG. 1taken along line 4--4.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the wound dressing product which illustratesthe peeling of the release liner from the wound dressing.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the wound dressing in place on thepatient's skin.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a second preferred embodiment in which theflat, polystyrene tab of FIGS. 1-6 is replaced with a V-shaped tab.

FIGS. 9A through 9D illustrate the preferred method of application ofthe wound dressing product of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a wound dressing product forapplication to a wound which includes a wound dressing comprised of athin-film transparent layer and a hydrogel patch. The invention alsoincludes a method of manufacture for the disclosed wound dressingproduct.

Referring to FIG. 1, the wound dressing product 10 of the presentinvention is shown. Although the wound dressing product 10 illustratedin FIG. 1 has a rectangular shape, it may be any of a variety of desiredshapes. The wound dressing product 10 is composed of several layers, asillustrated by the exploded view of FIG. 2 and the exploded side view ofFIG. 3.

Referring, collectively, to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the wound dressing product10 includes a thin-film transparent layer 14, preferably ofpolyurethane, which has a center portion 16 and a perimeter portion 18.The transparent layer 14 has a first side 20 and a second side 22, thesecond side 22 being coated with a first adhesive layer 24. Backinglayer 26, preferably constructed of a transparent polyurethane andhaving a first side 28 and a second side 30, is adhered to the secondside 22 of transparent layer 14 by means of first adhesive layer 24. Asecond adhesive layer 32 is positioned on the second side 30 of backinglayer 26 in order to accommodate first side 36 of a support layer 34.The support layer 34 is made from a material such as woven and nonwovenfabrics, gauze, scrim or other similar materials.

A hydrogel material 42 is adhered to the second side 38 of support layer34. The permeable fabric of the support layer 34 contains interstices 40which allow the hydrogel layer 42 to pass through to the first side 36of support layer 34, resulting in the presence of hydrogel layer 42 onboth the second side 38 and the first side 36 of support layer 34. Thehydrogel material 42 is preferably a saline solution in an aqueousgel-like phase. The hydrogel material 42, support layer 34 and backinglayer 26 together form a reinforced hydrogel patch 44, which iscontained within the center portion 16 of transparent layer 14. Arelease liner 46, preferably of a silicone-coated sheet material,overlies the hydrogel material 42 and is secured to the perimeterportion 18 of the second side 22 of transparent layer 14 by means offirst adhesive layer 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, collectively, a removable tab 48 isinterposed between the transparent layer 14 and the release liner 46.The tab 48 is adhered to one edge 50 of the perimeter portion 18 oftransparent layer 14 by means of the first adhesive layer 24, so as toprovide a grippable surface to allow for the removal of the releaseliner 46 from transparent layer 14 and to facilitate the handling of thewound dressing 12 during application of the wound dressing 12 to thewound.

The gel-like consistency of the hydrogel material 42 creates a bondbetween the wound dressing 12 and the wound site without creating anactual adhesive attachment that would damage new cell tissue uponremoval. An advantage of the gel-like hydrogel material 42 is that itwill not deteriorate as the wound fluids are absorbed. Additionally, itpermits clean and neat removal of the wound dressing 12 when the woundheals or the dressing 12 is changed.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the backing layer26 is printed with a grid pattern 54 to allow medical personnel tomonitor the healing of the wound, without removing the wound dressing12, by measuring its size. A clear view of the wound is provided throughthe dressing 12, each layer of which is preferably transparent. AlthoughFIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7 illustrate a rectangular grid pattern 54, anysuitable grid pattern may be incorporated.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the removable tab 48 isconstructed of a double-coated paper, polystyrene, polyester, or othersuitable material, and is preferably flat, as shown in FIGS. 1-6. FIGS.7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment, wherein the flat tab 48 isreplaced With a V-shaped member 56. The V-shaped member 56 has a firstflap 58 and a second flap 60, with the first flap 58 being secured toone edge 50 of the second side 22 of transparent layer 14 by means offirst adhesive layer 24, and the second flap 60 being positioned betweenfirst flap 58 and one edge 52 of release liner 46. The V-shaped member56 and the release liner 46 are preferably coated with silicone. Thisenables the V-shaped member 56 to be more easily removed from thetransparent layer 14, and enables the release liner 46 to be more easilyremoved from the transparent layer 14 and hydrogel material 42. Both thetab 48 and the V-shaped member 56 are removable by peeling after thewound dressing 12 is applied to the wound site. The tab 48 and V-shapedmember 56 also aid in adding stability to the transparent layer 14 asrelease liner 46 is removed from the wound dressing product 10.

FIGS. 9A through 9D illustrate the preferred method of application ofthe wound dressing product 10 to a wound. Although these figuresillustrate the application of a wound dressing 12 having a V-shapedmember 56, a similar procedure may be used to apply the wound dressing12 of FIGS. 2-5 wherein a flat tab 48 is utilized. As shown in FIG. 9A,the release liner 46 is first removed from the wound dressing 12 bygrasping V-shaped member 56 and one edge 50 of transparent layer 14 withone hand, while grasping release liner 46 with the other hand. After theedge 50 of transparent layer 14 is removed from release liner 46, edge50 is applied to the skin surrounding the wound of the patient. Edge 50is then held in place while the release liner 46 is fully removed fromwound dressing 12, as shown in FIG. 9B. After release liner 46 isremoved, the wound dressing 12 is secured to the wound, as illustratedin FIG. 9C. As shown in FIG. 9D, V-shaped member 56 is then removed bypulling flap 60 with one hand while the opposite end of transparent film14 of wound dressing 12 is held against the skin by the other hand.

The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the wounddressing product 10. Initially, a transparent thin-film layer 14 isprovided, preferably of a polyurethane material. Alternatively,transparent layer 14 may be constructed of polyethylene, vinyl, or anyother suitable material, and may be perforated throughout to allow airto contact the skin of the patient. This transparent layer 14 contains acenter portion 16 and a perimeter portion 18, along with a first side 20and a second side 22. The second side 22 of the transparent layer 14 iscoated with a preferably medical-grade first adhesive layer 24. Abacking layer 26 is then provided, the second side 30 of which is coatedwith a preferably medical-grade second adhesive layer 32. The first side36 of a support layer 34 is laminated to the second side 30 of thebacking layer 26. The support layer 34 comprises a material such aswoven and nonwoven fabrics, gauze, scrim or other similar materials. Ahydrogel material 42 is then applied to the second side 38 of thesupport layer 34. The support layer 34 is permeable and containsinterstices 40 within the fabric which allow the hydrogel layer42--which, when applied to support layer 34, is in liquid form--to flowthrough to the first side 36 of the support layer 34, such that thehydrogel layer 42 resides on both the first side 36 and the second side38 of the support layer 34. Together, the backing layer 26, supportlayer 34 and hydrogel material 42 form a reinforced hydrogel patch 44.

The hydrogel patch 44 is preferably assembled in a sheet form andsubsequently cut into various pieces of desired size and shape. The sizeand shape of the transparent layer 14 are selected so as to accommodatethe hydrogel patch 44. The hydrogel patch 44 is then laminated to thecenter portion 16 of transparent layer 14 such that the first side 28 ofbacking layer 26 adheres to the second side 22 of transparent layer 14by means of first adhesive layer 24.

A release liner 46, preferably silicone-coated, is provided. A removabletab 48 having first and second sides is also provided. The first side oftab 48 is laminated to one edge 50 of the perimeter portion 18 on thesecond side 22 of transparent layer 14, such that the first adhesivelayer 24 is positioned between tab 48 and transparent layer 14. A firstside of release liner 46 is then laminated to the perimeter portion 18on the second side 22 of transparent layer 14 by means of first adhesivelayer 24. When the wound dressing product 10 is fully assembled, therelease liner 46 overlies the hydrogel material 42 and hydrogel patch44. In fact, the release liner 46, transparent layer 14 and firstadhesive layer 24 form an adhesive seal around hydrogel material 42,thus preserving the sterility of the wound dressing product 10.

The preferred hydrogel material 42 is formed from an aqueous mixtureincluding from about 0% to about 90% by weight polyhydric alcohol; fromabout 6% to about 60% by weight aliphatic diisocyanate-terminatedprepolymer; from about 4% to about 40% by weight polyethyleneoxide-based polyamine; up to about 2% by weight sodium chloride; and thebalance water. A more preferred hydrogel composition for forminghydrogel layer 42 comprises from about 15% to about 30% by weight of apolyhydric alcohol selected from a group consisting of polypropyleneglycol, polyethylene glycol and glycerine, from about 8% to about 14% byweight isophoronediisocyanate-terminated prepolymer, from about 5% toabout 10% by weight polyethylene oxide-based diamine, up to about 1% byweight of a salt, and the remaining percentage water. Most preferably,the hydrogel material 42 includes 17% propylene glycol, 12%isophoronediisocyanate-terminated prepolymer, 9% polyethyleneoxide-based diamine, 1% salt, and 61% water. The hydrogel material 42provides a biocompatible, nonirritating, fluid-absorbing,bacterial-protective, cushioning, skin-like media over the wound site.

In the preferred method of manufacture, a grid pattern 54 is printed onbacking layer 26 to enable medical personnel to measure the wound andmonitor its healing. Those skilled in the art will recognize that asimilar grid pattern could be printed on the transparent layer 14,rather than on the backing layer 26, without deviating from theinvention. In one embodiment, a flat tab 48, constructed of adouble-coated paper, polystyrene, polyester, or any other suitablematerial, is provided. This first embodiment may further include atransparent layer 14 having a cropped corner 64, as represented by thephantom line drawn in FIG. 2, at the edge 50 of the perimeter portion18, in order to facilitate removal of the tab 48 from transparent layer14 after wound dressing 12 is applied to the wound. In a secondembodiment, a V-shaped member 56, preferably silicone-coated, isprovided in place of flat tab 48. The V-shaped member 56 has a firstflap 58 and a second flap 60. The first flap 58 is secured to the secondside 22 of the transparent layer 14 by first adhesive layer 24, whilethe second flap 60 is positioned between the first flap 58 and releaseliner 46. The open end of the "V" is positioned along one edge 50 oftransparent layer 14 and the opposing edge 52 of release liner 46. Boththe tab 48 and the V-shaped member 56 are removable by peeling after thewound dressing 12 is applied to the patient's skin.

The wound dressing product 10 of the present invention is particularlyadvantageous for use on exuding wounds. In particular, a special featureof the hydrogel material 42 is that it is sufficiently clear andtransparent that visual observation of the wound is possible withoutremoval of the wound dressing 12. Another benefit of the hydrogelmaterial 42 is that it retains its gel-like integrity even upon removalof the wound dressing 12 from a wound site. The hydrogel material 42does not leave debris in the wound when the wound dressing 12 isremoved, nor does it adhere to the wound site. The benefit of thisfeature is that the hydrogel material 42 exhibits a capability ofnontraumatically releasing from the wound when the wound dressing 12 isremoved, so as to not destroy new cell tissue forming at the wound site.Thus, healing is not inhibited by removal of the dressing 12.

Having described the invention in detail and by reference to preferredembodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications andvariations are possible without departing from the scope of theinvention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a wound dressingproduct for a wound, comprising the steps of:providing a transparentthin-film layer having a first side and a second side and further havinga perimeter portion and a center portion; coating said perimeter portionof said second side of said transparent layer with a first adhesivelayer; providing a backing layer having a first side and a second side;coating said second side of said backing layer with a second adhesivelayer; providing a support layer having a first side and a second side,said support layer comprising a permeable fabric having a plurality ofinterstices therewithin; laminating said first side of said supportlayer to said second side of said backing layer; applying a hydrogelmaterial to said second side of said support layer, wherein saidhydrogel material penetrates said interstices to said first side of saidsupport layer such that said hydrogel material resides on both saidfirst side and said second side of said support layer, and whereby saidbacking layer, said support layer and said hydrogel materialcollectively form a reinforced hydrogel patch; laminating said hydrogelpatch to said center portion of said transparent layer, wherein saidfirst side of said backing layer adheres to said second side of saidtransparent layer by means of said first adhesive layer; providing arelease liner having a first side and a second side; providing at leastone removable tab having a first side and a second side, so as toprovide a grippable surface to facilitate the removal of said releaseliner from said transparent layer and to facilitate the handling of saidwound dressing during application of said dressing to a wound;laminating said first side of said tab to one edge of said perimeterportion of said second side of said transparent layer, whereby saidfirst adhesive layer is positioned between said tab and said transparentlayer; laminating said first side of said release liner to saidperimeter portion of said second side of said transparent layer, wherebysaid adhesive layer is positioned between said transparent layer andsaid release liner, and said tab portion is positioned between saidadhesive layer and said release liner.
 2. A method of manufacturing awound dressing product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step ofproviding a backing layer comprises the step of providing a transparentbacking layer.
 3. A method of manufacturing a wound dressing product asclaimed in claim 2, further including the step of printing a gridpattern on said backing layer.
 4. A method of manufacturing a wounddressing product as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reinforced hydrogelpatch is formed in a sheet and cut to a desired size, and the size ofsaid transparent layer is selected so as to accommodate said hydrogelpatch.
 5. A method of manufacturing a wound dressing product as claimedin claim 1, in which the step of providing a removable tab includes thestep of providing a removable tab comprising double-coated paper.
 6. Amethod of manufacturing a wound dressing product as claimed in claim 1,in which the step of providing a removable tab includes the step ofproviding a tab comprising a V-shaped member having a first flap and asecond flap, said first flap secured to said second side of saidtransparent layer by means of said first adhesive layer, said secondflap positioned between said first flap and said release liner, and theopen end of said V-shaped member positioned along said edge of saidtransparent layer and the opposing edge of said release liner.
 7. Amethod of manufacturing a wound dressing product as recited in claim 1,wherein said hydrogel material comprises:(a) from about 0% to about 90%by weight polyhydric alcohol; (b) from about 6% to about 60% by weightaliphatic diisocyanate-terminated prepolymer; (c) from about 4% to about40% by weight polyethylene oxide-based polyamine; (d) up to about 2% byweight sodium chloride; and (e) the balance water.
 8. A method ofmanufacturing a wound dressing product as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid hydrogel material comprises:(a) from about 15% to about 30% byweight polyhydric alcohol; (b) from about 8% to about 14% by weightisophorone diisocyanate-terminated prepolymer; (c) from about 5% toabout 10% by weight polyethylene oxide-based diamine; (d) up to about 1%by weight sodium chloride; and (e) the balance water.
 9. A method ofmanufacturing a wound dressing product as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid hydrogel material comprises:(a) about 17% by weight polypropyleneglycol; (b) about 12% by weight isophorone diisocyanate-terminatedprepolymer; (c) about 9% by weight polyethylene oxide-based diamine; (d)about 1% by weight sodium chloride; and (e) about 61% by weight water.